Clayton Steam Wagon

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

UM ? What does a 1920s track rod end look like ? Noel.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Noel, Ive made parts for pre 1920s steering joints and they have all been ball(s)

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Not surprising that in a machine design of such vintage that the steering joints are merely clevis and pin type, which should only move in one plane.

Since the track rod would move in unison with the beam axle, a pin and clevis joint would suffice (Until wear becomes evident) Similarly for the drag link, which could accommodate the vertical movement of the axle.

To allow movement in two planes, a ball joint is required.

(Note that Stephenson’s Rocket used a ball type joint between the piston rod and the pin in the driving wheel, to allow for vertical movement of the axle as well as that of the piston rod)

Howard

[Werner SchleidtParticipant @wernerschleidt45161]

This year, not everyone in our group had their models ready to run. Gerhard Rogen and I therefore decided at the last minute to kick off the year with our steam-powered models. As always, I tried to capture the atmosphere. Gerhard installed new Teflon piston rings over the winter.
This time with a little more lateral clearance in the piston groove. The piston ring needs plenty of lateral clearance so it doesn’t get stuck in the piston groove when it heats up.
The result was a performance of the Clayton steam truck unlike anything seen before: a free exhaust blow and the boiler producing steam without end—a complete success.

But see for yourselves

https://youtu.be/woZXMlrHLSg

After the ride, we spent a good while chatting together, which was a great way to round off the day. For my Jaxon, I built a steam immersion heater so the rider would be well taken care of—a copy of the setup our colleague had already built. It’s really great to be able to quickly brew a cup of tea or warm up some mulled wine in the fall. It’s amazing how quickly the water boils in the cup. Only the Jaxon kettle, with its small water capacity 0.75 litres, really has its work cut out for it. After two cups, you have to refill it with water with the pumps of the steam engine.

Enjoy watching!

Werner

[Author]

Posts